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Of course there are elements of Phish in our music... but to really make or break a band, you have to get away from your influences and then come up with your own DNA or chemistry.
-Jake Cinninger
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When bands rise that fast, they don't have the catalog to play varied shows and relationships haven't been forged within the band.
Cinninger & Bayliss by Brett Saul |
"There's not enough mystique there with the repertoire that they have. They only have maybe 20 songs they're grinding out every night. You're pretty much going to see the same set because it's a safe set that they're used to playing. It's actually what they can play, and there's no risk-taking in the live aspect. It's all about the studio record or that single or that next single that the record company is demanding. I'm glad that we don't have that kind of pressure. We try to make it different every night, and that's what creates fans wanting to come out and see something different night after night, or to catch ten shows in a row when they know they won't see the same thing twice."
Not having to worry about a top 40 single or a video means your record company supports the album. This is one of the reasons the band is signed to SCI Fidelity.
Umphrey's McGee by Brett Saul |
"SCI Fidelity gives us all creative leeway. They are good friends of ours, and they are really into what we do and supportive. They really try rather then go, 'Well, we only have this much to work with. Who are you? Oh, you're Umphrey's McGee. OK. How many records have you sold? Oh, not enough. Well, I don't know how much we're going to be able to help you guys out this year.' It's not that sort of scenario. We're all on a first name basis, and we hang out whenever we can hang out. And there is sort of that friendship role that they play with us. It's comfortable, and it makes art fun, rather then a job. It's not like we have to crack out a hit anytime soon. They are more concerned about the flow of the record. And they're like, 'Hey, it's nice you got something we can push like 'Women, Wine and Song' or 'Nemo'."
Umphrey's McGee is very capable of writing singles, but I'm not sure SCI Fidelity is into payola, so for now, the songs will just have to be played on satellite radio and Rhapsody. But it's a safe bet the band will walk home with some more Jammys at this year's show.
Jake Cinninger in Amsterdam by Sam Friedman |
Cinninger is more excited about playing CBGB's as part of the inaugural Green Apple Festival taking place in conjunction with the event. "It's a complete honor" states Jake. "When the word came through that we actually could play there, we got the management right on it and said, 'Let's make sure this happens,' because really, the history of underground rock in America started there as far as separating from pop culture and the big record label moguls. That's where a lot of the new talent was shining. It's really an honor to play there before the walls crumble, and to be one of the last bands to play."
The highlight of the summer may be Lollapalooza, which will feature Umphrey's McGee playing to a hometown audience at the massive festival. Cinninger is excited but nervous about the gig.
Jake Cinninger by Brett Saul |
"Usually, I don't even know what date it is, and usually I don't find out until the week of the performances, but it's like, 'Oh yeah, Lollapalooza,' and then I start worrying about it."
This will be his first time to the festival. "I had seen all those bands so I didn't go, but I was a product of the grunge era and heavily influenced by it. Soundgarden was my favorite, outside of the first three Pearl Jam records. I was the first kid in my town to get the Ten tape. And you know, that was cool. It was cool to have people say, 'Yeah, Jake was the one that turned me on to that one,' ya know? And then they took over the world. I waited in line to get tickets to see them at Purdue University Auditorium, in a 1,500-seat venue, even before 'Alive' hit. They were just playing these small places on campus on their first tour. It was cool to see them in their early stage, and that sort of solidified the fan base too. In the same turn, that worked well for us, playing these small venues around the nation in 2000, 2001, gathering all these kids that say, 'Ah yeah, I saw them before they went to that next level.' And that has sort of stuck with us also. It's kind of the way things are in a grass roots mentality like that. You hit all the small spots and you gain everyone's trust before you blow up to the next venue, and so called 'sell out'."
As a final question, I asked Cinninger if Umphrey's has sold out by joining Lollapalooza?
"Of course not. Once you see us pouting with our guitars in videos, then you'll know we've sold out."
JamBase | Chicago
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